Gopro hero 3 black edition description. The GoPro Hero3 Black Edition is an extremely durable and compact action camera. GoPro Video Editing Software

Instead of a preface

The history of GoPro began during a trip to Australia by Nick Woodman. It was then that he decided to bring to life an idea that he had been thinking about for several years. He dreamed of conveying in photography the sensations that you experience when riding a perfect wave: what is it like to be inside a water tunnel and run your hand through the water that closes above your head? Cameras that could handle such a task in those days were very expensive, and only professionals could shoot such videos. Nick and his comrades wanted to become professionals (“go pro”) and look like heroes (“hero”) in the eyes of others. Thus, he set out to develop the world's first affordable wrist-mounted camera.

Contents of delivery

GoPro Hero 3 comes in a quality plastic box. On a special stand-mount, the camera itself flaunts in a waterproof case, and a rather rich set of accessories is compactly placed under the camera.

Despite such a serious set of accessories, you still have to buy additional ones, depending on the needs of the videographer.

And now the kit itself:

• the camera itself
• case with waterproof (up to 60 m) and conventional (non-sealed) lid for improved sound recording
• flat mount
• 3-way swivel
• stickers for attaching the mount itself to flat (1 pc.) and curved (1 pc.) surfaces
• USB cable
• 2 branded stickers (a la Apple)
• instructions
• guarantee

Appearance

The camera is very light (74 g) and very tiny, even in a bulky waterproof case. Made from impact resistant plastic.

This is what the camera looks like with the iPhone 4S, with not the biggest and longest phone.

On the front there are two indicators (on and shooting), a monochrome display, a power button, which is also one of the control keys, and a slightly protruding lens.

On the left side there are HDMI, microUSB connectors, a slot for micro-SD memory cards (up to 64 Gb).

At the back is a 1050 mAh lithium-ion battery. Enough for 3-4 hours of active shooting.

Photo and video shooting

GoPro Hero 3 Silver Edition has an 11-megapixel matrix, shoots Full HD (up to 30 fps), HD (up to 60 fps) and WVGA (848 × 480) 120 (!) fps. You can shoot excellent slow-motion, even at 60 fps. The image quality is quite good for this sensor size. Detailing starts to suffer in the dark. But in general, for an action camera, GoPro shoots just fine, copes with all its tasks 100%. There will be no videos of their own yet, since the camera has not been used in the conditions for which it is intended. But in the winter they will...

I think many people remember the video when the camera was thrown from the stratosphere, and it did not suffer at all ...

And here is how the camera was used on RedBull Mount biking.

Additional functions

There is a special accessory for GoPro cameras - a Wi-Fi remote control (supplied with the Black Edition). It duplicates the monochrome screen of the camera itself and receives a signal up to 200 m line of sight.

The same function is performed by a special GoPro application, which is available in the App Store, Play Market and even in the Windows Store.

White, Silver, Black… What to take?

As you know, there are three models of cameras that differ in the characteristics of shooting photos and videos, equipment and price. About each in order:

• White Edition: 5-megapixel sensor, full hd (up to 30 fps) and hd (up to 60 fps) shooting.
• Silver Edition: 11-megapixel sensor, full hd (up to 30 fps) and hd (up to 60 fps) shooting + WVGA (848×480) 120 fps shooting, shooting in Protune mode (special shooting mode with extended dynamic color range).
• Black Edition: 12-megapixel sensor, full hd (up to 60 fps) and hd (up to 120 fps) shooting + 2.7K (30 fps) and 4K (15 fps) shooting, Protune mode + remote control remote control via Wi-Fi.

Their post-GoPro Hero 3+ prices are $280, $340 and $440. I consider the Silver Edition to be an ideal option for purchase, since it is unlikely that you will use a Wi-Fi remote control and shoot in 4K. The only plus is 120 fps in hd, you can shoot really cool slo-mo.

Conclusion

The GoPro Hero 3 Silver Edition does a great job not only as an action camera, but also as a regular camera that you can use to capture memorable events, carry it around with you all the time and shoot fun slo-mo videos.

And imagine how cool you would look on skis or snowboard with a camera on your helmet among a crowd of “non-professionals”. It can also be used for a trip to the sea for shooting underwater and not only.

It may seem that if you are not involved in extreme sports, then you do not need such a camera. In fact, the camera is fraught with many hidden features and uses.

GoPro is an industry-changing camera whose name has become a household name. You often hear how this name is called any action camera. Just 16 years after the first prototype was built, the manufacturing company, led by Nick Woodman, experienced explosive growth, and today is the fastest growing camera and video company in the world with an annual turnover of more than $ 1.5 billion.

Nicholas Woodman, the founder of the company, an amateur photographer and avid surfer, had the idea of ​​attaching some existing camera to his arm in the early 2000s to show what surfing on a surfboard looks like through the eyes of the surfer himself, since the shots from the shore were not so spectacular, and professional equipment was expensive and completely immobile. After several unsuccessful attempts, he decided to create his own camera complete with a mount and a sealed box. This is how the GoPro company was born, today there are more than twenty full-fledged action cameras, each with its own character, functionality and set of accessories. But they are all united by one idea: "Go Pro" - literally, become a professional. Indeed, the capabilities of the camera and its mounts allow you to shoot, in no way inferior to professional athletes and cameramen.

The variety of released models and their external similarity often raise the question: what is the advantage of one model over another, and how to distinguish between them? This article aims to answer this question.

GP HERO (2005)

This is the first industrial model of GoPro, which was then called GP HERO. Known for being the only camera to take photos on 35mm film. It was powered by two AAA batteries. The delivery set included a camera, a hand mount and a sealed aquabox with the ability to dive to a depth of 5 meters.

GoPro Digital HERO (2006)

GoPro Digital HERO is the world's first digital action camera. The name has changed from GP to the usual GoPro. Unlike its film predecessor, it supported shooting 10-second videos - then the camera did not have a slot for memory cards, and the internal memory was only 16 MB. But this was already enough to win over an army of fans and earn the first serious money on it.

The scope of delivery has not changed: a camera, a waterproof box and a soft mount on the hand. She was also powered by two finger batteries.

gopro Digital HERO3 andDigital HERO5 (2007)

The following two models are very similar to the original Digital HERO in appearance and functionality, so it's easy to confuse them.

Digital HERO3 differed from its predecessor by the presence of an SD card slot (support for a memory card up to 2 GB), and Digital HERO5 by a similar slot and an improved 5MP matrix.

GoPro Digital HERO Wide (2008)

Then comes the Digital HERO Wide, a very important model in the company's history. Since it provided for mounting not only on the arm, but also on the head and other parts of the body, the line of accessories began to develop rapidly, thanks to which GoPro made a splash among outdoor enthusiasts and became popular with the masses. The number of competitors trying to diligently copy the camera and its functionality has also increased.

It is the first model to record video in 640x480 resolution and is equipped with a 170-degree wide-angle lens, better known as "Fisheye". The matrix "Hero" was inherited from the previous model, but the waterproof box and the packaging concept have changed, which has remained unchanged to this day: a stylish black box with accessories and documents, and above it - a plastic cube with a camera.

gopro HERO 960 (2010)

The camera has been further developed by ditching the AAA batteries in favor of a replaceable lithium battery, allowing for a flatter rear surface. The design of the aquabox remained the same, but the box itself became a little deeper, since the novelty was a few millimeters thicker. Manufacturers also abandoned the viewfinder window, which was present on all previously released models. What's more, HERO 960 now shoots in 960p and 720p.

gopro HD HERO (2011)

The big brother of the HERO 960. GoPro now has the ability to record Full HD video in 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second. For 2011, this was a big breakthrough. A multifunctional port appeared on the back of the novelty, allowing you to connect BacPac accessories - LCD screens and additional batteries. The HD HERO, like its budget-friendly alternative, the HERO 960, sold very well and fueled the company's growth.

gopro HD HERO2 (2011)

In 2011, the manufacturer, following HD Hero, launched its new development on the market - GoPro HD HERO2. The camera was equipped with an 11MP sensor and an advanced processor, which allowed HD HERO2 to shoot video at up to 120 fps. A new Protune mode has been added to the camera - a special shooting mode with an extended dynamic color range. The model was released in three different trim levels: Outdoor Edition with helmet mount, Motorsport Edition with suction cup mount and Surf Edition with surfboard mount.

The manufacturer also released a new accessory: a BacPac Wi-Fi module with a remote control, with which you could remotely control the capabilities and settings of the camera and link it to mobile devices or a computer using a special program.

GoPro HERO3 White Edition, Silver EditionAndBlack Edition (2012)

Three new cameras were introduced at the end of 2012: GoPro HERO3 White, Silver and Black. They were 30% smaller and 25% lighter than their predecessors, despite the built-in Wi-Fi module in each new product, and were equipped with new waterproof boxes that can withstand water pressure even at a depth of 45 meters. Complete accessories and camera mounts remain the same. The models themselves in this line could be distinguished from each other by the color of the number "3" on the front panel.

White copied the functionality of the HD HERO model: shooting photos at 5MP, 1080p video at up to 30 fps and 720p at up to 60 fps. Silver copied the HD HERO2: 11MP stills, 1080p video up to 30fps, 720p video up to 60fps, WVGA (848x480) up to 120fps, and support for Protune mode. And the new flagship of the company, Black, became incredibly popular in the market due to its capabilities: the camera shot photos at a resolution of 12MP and 4K video at 15 fps and 2.7K at 30 fps. Moreover, the manufacturer decided to include a Wi-fi Remote in the Black Edition, which was previously only available with the Wi-Fi BacPac accessory. HERO3 Black, like the HD HERO2, also came in three different trims: Adventure, Motorsport and Surf Edition. While the first two trims were identical except for the box design, the Surf Edition included a surfboard mount instead of straight and curved adhesive platforms. .

GoPro HERO3+ Silver Edition and Black Edition (2013)

In 2013, GoPro releases HERO3+ Silver and Black, replacing the respective previous generation models. At the same time, HERO3 White Edition is still in the lineup as a budget model. Serious work has been done on the bugs: improved stability, quality of shooting in low light, image stabilization, increased battery capacity and redesigned the noise reduction system. Now the cameras heat up less during operation, which was so lacking in the previous series.

Externally, the models differed only with a "+" sign next to the model name. Silver in FullHD resolution now shot at 60 fps, but the manufacturer decided to remove the ProTune mode from its functionality. Specifications of the Black series have not changed much, but the package has changed: the Motorsport version has disappeared, and a new version of Music has been added to the Adventure and Surf with a special mount for musical instruments, a mic stand mount and a clothespin mount in the kit.

The plastic of the HERO3+ boxes has become a little thinner, the aquabox has become more compact and lighter, because of this, the immersion depth with it has decreased to 30 meters. However, the box was still compatible with previous generation cameras. It is also possible to connect an external microphone via an adapter.

gopro HERO 2014

This camera is also known as the GoPro HERO4 Gray Edition. This model inherited and developed the concept of the HD HERO model. Due to its low cost, it has become one of the leaders in the budget market.

Of the features, it should be noted a 5MP matrix, shooting video in FullHD at a frequency of 30 fps, a capacious battery that allows continuous shooting up to 3 hours, interval shooting (Time Lapse) and a wide viewing angle (Superview). Of the obvious disadvantages: the lack of a Wi-Fi module, a battery built into the case, as well as the inability to get the camera out of the aquabox.

In the entire history of the company, this model is the most budgetary, its price at the time of the start of sales was only $129.

GoPro HERO4 Silver Edition and Black Edition (2014)

In September 2014, the manufacturer announced the release of two new models: HERO4 Silver and HERO4 Black. The delivery set included a camera, a waterproof box (immersion depth - up to 40 meters), several mounts and a USB cable. The cameras weighed only 85 grams.

HERO4 Silver copied the functionality of HERO3+ Black, but was sold without a remote control - instead, an LCD touch screen was built into the camera. The design has changed slightly: the LEDs are now located near the monochrome screen. The ProTune mode has also returned, the battery capacity has increased and its location has changed.

HERO4 Black outwardly differed from Silver only in the absence of an LCD screen (for economical battery consumption), but they had significant differences in the filling: now it was possible to shoot 4K video at a frequency of 30 fps, 2.7K at a frequency of 60 fps and 1080p at 120 fps, photos in 12MP resolution. Of the features of the model, it should be noted burst shooting (Burst) up to 30 fps, continuous shooting up to 10 fps, Time Lapse with an interval of 0.5 to 60 s, turning on the camera and starting recording by pressing one button (QuickCapture) and tagging mode ( Hi Light Tag). All three trims of the flagship have been inherited from the HERO3+ Black, with the only exception being that the Adventure Edition is now called the Standard Edition.

GoPro HERO+AndHERO+LCD (2015)

In 2015, two new models were released one after another: HERO+ and HERO+ LCD. Both new items were a logical continuation of HERO 2014, replacing it in the budget segment.

HERO+ differed from HERO 2014 in the presence of a Wi-Fi module, and HERO+ LCD differed in the presence of a Wi-Fi module and an LCD screen. Otherwise, the characteristics of the new models coincided with those of HERO 2014.

gopro HERO4 session (2015)

The GoPro HERO4 Session was announced back in 2014 along with the HERO4 Black and HERO4 Silver, but the camera didn't go on sale until July 2015. HERO4 Session was shaped like a cube (a brand new format for GoPro) and is 50% smaller and 40% lighter than Series 4 cameras, with sides measuring 38mm and weighing just 74 grams. On top of the model was the "Record" button, below it - a small display. Another button was located on the back of the camera: it was responsible for displaying useful information on the screen and for turning on Wi-Fi. "Cube" was waterproof to a depth of 10 meters and was equipped with two microphones for audio recording.

After the release of the 5th GoPro series, the manufacturer renamed the HERO4 Session to HERO Session and re-released it in a new, white box.

gopro HERO5 Black Edition AndHERO5 session (2016)

In autumn 2016, the manufacturer released a new series of cameras - GoPro HERO5 Black and HERO5 Session. Both models had a sealed case that allowed diving to a depth of 10 meters without a special aquabox, equipped with voice control and a digital stabilization function. They could automatically upload footage to the GoPro Plus cloud (a subscription to the cloud in Russia, unfortunately, is not yet available).

HERO5 Black could be called the flagship in the action camera market due to the following features: the ability to shoot video in 4K resolution at 30 fps, 1080p at 120 fps and 720p at 240 fps, photos at 12MP resolution, the ability to shoot in RAW format and the presence of a GPS module for receiving telemetry. What's more, HERO5 Black has an LCD touchscreen that lets you control all of the camera's settings. The HERO5 Session has slightly more modest specifications: shooting video in 4K resolution at 30 fps, 1080p at 90 fps, 720p at 120 fps and photos at 10MP resolution.

gopro HERO6 Black (2017)

The new HERO6 Black model was released exactly one year later and became a logical continuation of HERO5 Black. She inherited the appearance from her predecessor: the same stylish dark gray sealed case with an LCD screen on the back, which ensured full compatibility of accessories. At the hardware level, the differences are more significant: the camera was equipped with an optimized GP1 processor, which improved image quality, and doubled the performance compared to HERO5 Black. Now GoPro could shoot video in 4K resolution at 60 fps, 2.7K at 120 fps and 1080p at 240 fps. This is indeed a major breakthrough for a small camera weighing only 117 grams. Also, thanks to the new Wi-fi module, support for 5GHz networks has appeared, image stabilization has improved, shooting quality in low light has improved, and zooming has become possible.

gopro Fusion (2017)

The next model released by GoPro in the fall of 2017 was a 360-degree camera capable of shooting spherical content in 5.2K30 and 3K60 resolution. In general, the camera inherited some of the characteristic features of past GoPro models, such as water resistance, shockproof, voice control, Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS module, etc., but also included several innovations. Of particular note are the presence of two lenses, each of which writes to a separate memory card, an 18MP matrix, an updated futuristic design, an improved stabilization system and an increased battery capacity.

But it is not the appearance or technical characteristics of the camera that attracts special attention, but the software developed specifically for this model. The first interesting feature is the ability to record and “glue” photos and videos without visible seams. Another interesting feature is the ability to programmatically remove the complete monopod from the frame so that the immersive effect during viewing is maximum. And not to mention OverCapture - with this feature built into the GoPro App and Fusion Studio, the user can turn spherical content into a traditional 2D video format for further processing and export, for example, to social networks.

GoPro HERO (2018)

In the spring of 2018, GoPro released a new camera for beginners - HERO 2018. The following can be said about the novelty: the appearance and design are fully consistent with and, which will ensure full compatibility of mounts and accessories for these models. HERO 2018, like its predecessors, is shockproof and completely waterproof to a depth of 10 meters, is equipped with a removable 1220mAh battery, and is also equipped with a touch screen, electronic stabilization, Wi-Fi module and voice control.

However, if you look at the technical specifications in more detail, you will find that the model is really focused not on professionals, but on novice users: there are no 4K and 2.7K modes and some flagship functions, but the novelty is capable of shooting video in 1440p and 1080p resolution at 60 frames in second, photo in 10 MP resolution and time lapse. And the most important difference between HERO 2018 and its predecessors is its price. The camera starts at just $199, making it affordable for just about anyone who wants to buy a GoPro.

GoPro HERO7 (2018)

In the fall of 2018, GoPro updated its line of cameras and introduced three new models: HERO7 White, HERO7 Silver, HERO7 Black. The cameras have a similar form factor, which ensures compatibility of accessories and mounts from previous models.

Model for beginner GoPro lovers. Rugged, waterproof to a depth of 10 meters, supports video in 1440p60 resolution. The camera has built-in digital stabilization and is capable of taking photos at a resolution of 10 MP. The built-in battery will provide up to 1.5 hours of continuous shooting.

Like the younger model, it has a non-removable battery, but it can already shoot video in 4K resolution. Digital stabilization, voice control, touchscreen display, the ability to take photos in HDR format - these and other features that users love GoPro so much are implemented in HERO7 Silver.

Without a doubt, the flagship model of this year. Manufacturers have made a breakthrough by equipping the camera with digital three-axis stabilization. This kept the camera compact and made it possible to get incredibly smooth video even without the use of stabilizers. And the implementation of the live broadcast function will allow users to share moments of what is happening without a lag in time. The camera is waterproof up to 10 meters, has a removable lens, which allows you to use aquabox and dive to a depth of 60 meters. Removable battery, 12 MP photos and, of course, 4K video at 60 frames per second.

Also for the most dedicated fans of the company's products, an exclusive limited edition of HERO7 Black all in white was released called HERO7 Black Dusk White.

GoPro HERO8 Black and GoPro Max

In the fall of 2019, GoPro once again made a technological leap and updated its line of cameras. On October 1, two professional-class products were presented to the public at once - a model that is a follower of last year's flagship HERO7 Black, and a sequel to the panoramic GoPro Fusion, so beloved by fans of spherical shooting. Let's dwell on each of them in more detail.

GoPro HERO8 Black not only incorporates all the best features of the previous top GoPro models, but also offers a number of revolutionary solutions that have not been seen before in the action camera industry, namely, it received support for the so-called "modules" - additional accessories that are integrated into the camera ecosystem and allowing you to get a ready-made solution for shooting vlogs.

In particular, the presentation presented: a multifunctional media module with a gun microphone, MicroHDMI, Type-C and 3.5 jack connectors, and two clips for connecting light sources, microphones and LCD screens, commonly called a "cold shoe", a compact folding module - a screen designed to make life easier for operators when shooting vlogs, as well as a waterproof and shockproof flashlight module that provides brightness up to 200 lumens. The manufacturers promised not to stop there and eventually release several more modules that will help operators shoot faster and better on GoPro.

The camera itself has also undergone significant modifications. Firstly, the design of the body has changed: it has become slightly larger and narrower, the microphones have been redesigned and improved, and the protective lens of the lens and the legendary “ear” mounts have been integrated into the camera body, which eliminates the need for a mounting frame.

But the main changes concerned precisely the functionality: the device received support for the ultra-modern stabilization of HyperSmooth 2.0, which became available in all resolutions and at any frame rate. New features have been added: LiveBurst (similar to the iPhone's LivePhoto feature), Night VideoLapse - night time-lapse video capability, TimeWarp 2.0, improved HDR photos, and live social sharing in Full HD.

Of particular note is the redesigned interface: it has become even more friendly, and for GoPro users who are just starting to comprehend the basics of action shooting, presets have been invented - recommended preset settings for standard, sports, slow motion and cinematic video shooting. Don't forget about the pros too: shark photography can now use all photo modes to shoot in RAW, and vloggers can use the revolutionary horizon leveling for cinematic shooting!

You can not ignore and - the long-awaited camera for spherical shooting, in the production of which engineers and designers took into account all the shortcomings of its predecessor, Fusion, and turned them into advantages. The camera itself is positioned by GoPro marketers as “Three cameras in one”: after all, in addition to shooting 360 ° video in 5.6K30 resolution, the user can now shoot on each lens separately with 1440p60 parameters, receiving standard 2D video at the output. Also, future MAX users will obviously be delighted that now they need only one flash card to shoot panoramic content, which was so lacking in the previous generation model.

Of course, the manufacturer did not just stop at working on the bugs and added several new, but much-needed and long-awaited features: to please the vloggers, the device was equipped with an LCD screen from which you can control the settings and watch the shooting in real time. Audiophiles are not left out either: MAX is equipped with six (!) Microphones for excellent sound capture. Other highlights include improved MAX HyperSmooth stabilization and MAX TimeWarp, 270° panorama photos, and Full HD social media feed. Finally, the integration with the GoPro App has been completely redesigned for easy creation and sharing of the resulting videos.

In summary, we can conclude the following conclusion: confidently following the trends, creating and improving its ecosystem of mounts and accessories, and moving towards supporting vlogging, the GoPro camera has ceased to be a highly specialized device for action filming and has become a full-fledged means of expression that you want to use every day. and take with you everywhere and always.

In just 15 years after the release of the first industrial model, GoPro has made a huge leap from the manufacturer of film cameras to the modern market leader in digital action cameras, which all major players in this niche are guided by. This fact is confirmed by both multimillion-dollar sales and the presence of a huge number of GoPro fans.

As the owner of the GoPro Hero3 Silver Edition, I passed by the “horizontal” update on , and after another year I am holding a camera with an index of 4. And this is already a vertical take-off.

Hero3 vs. Hero4 briefly

I'll save you time. The two pictures below will show the advantage of the four over the three. Thanks to the updated optics and processor.

First, Hero4 is more accurate in color reproduction, while Hero3 is yellow.

Secondly, Hero4's noise is several times lower, and the resolution is higher (attention to vertical elements).

In addition, the 12 megapixels of the Hero4's sharp 10 megapixels are better than the 10 megapixels of the Artifact Hero3. Forgive me the owners of Hero2, but you are generally sad.

This short tour is over :)

Now a little more.

GoPro Hero 4Black or Silver Edition?

The camera is available in two versions - Black and Silver.

If you are a land resident and shoot mostly children's matinees, then take Silver because it has a built-in touch screen. But on the other hand, it does not accelerate above 1080p 60 frames / s, like the GoPro Hero3. The difference with the model before last will be only in the quality of the picture.

For hardcore you have to take Black Edition, because it produces 1080p 120 fps and 4K at 30 fps, and its processor is more powerful than silver. But there is no screen.

Dimensions

You won't notice the size difference between Hero3 and Hero4.

Battery

The GoPro3 has a larger battery, but it doesn't benefit from that.

• Treshka: 1180mAh, 3.7V, 4366mWh
• Four: 1160mAh, 3.8V, 4.4Wh

And finally, in Hero4, the battery is inserted from the bottom.

The Chinese are already offering replaceable power supplies for $7. You should have at least one on hand. On dx.com, shipping to Russia is free.

Since the "treshka" has weaker iron, it works one and a half times longer. The manufacturer writes that 3 hours in 1080p/30fps mode, but in fact it turns out to be an hour less. This means that the “four” will work for about 1 hour 10 minutes non-stop with Wi-Fi turned off.

Relax and watch promo video

So far, no one has been able to shoot a video better than GoPro itself does. Enjoy life in 4K, because it's wonderful. Since 2010, the camera has inspired many to get off their butts, get out of their smelly slippers and start living for real.

Cover, aka boxing

In fact, the changes started with Hero3+ and now the new box looks better than the old one. It has decreased in size, the latch has changed, unnecessary decorative screws around the perimeter of the bezel have disappeared.

The area of ​​the buttons has become larger, the pressing itself is smoother. On land, this is good, but for divers in dry suits and 7mm gloves, the Hero3 was more responsive underwater. And the third model turns on faster by 1 second, but then slows down by the same amount in Photo mode :)

Comes with two back covers. One for land, the other for diving to a depth of 40 meters. I dived to 45 meters and there was no leak. But there was an extra decompression stop due to such unnecessary pampering, because my Deep Diver certificate prohibits such depth.

Have you seen how divers get married? You can’t do without champagne under water -. GoPro has become my indispensable companion in all dives - diving in South Cyprus.

There are currently no alternatives to GoPro. The same one will not be able to shoot underwater, and for some reason Chinese craftsmen do not come up with additional accessories for it. Toshiba has a crisis of ideas without a twinge of conscience.

GoPro Hero4 is good on land and underwater. She again captured moments of life that you can never capture with an ordinary soap box. In fact, in front of us is a dog-friend, ready to follow his master anywhere. For this, she is loved all over the world.

My video is below.

The cost of GoPro HERO 4 Silver is 19,999 ₽.
The cost of GoPro HERO 4 Black is 24,999 ₽.

Benefits of the GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition Camera:

• This is the best GoPro camera ever.
• Wide range of shooting modes
• Burst mode 30 photos per second
• On-camera control and remote control
• High quality video and photo
• Good selection of accessories

GoPro Hero3 Black Edition Camera Disadvantages:

• Limited features of bundled software
• Too narrowly oriented built-in microphone

Key features of the GoPro Hero3 Black Edition camera:

• Wide range of shooting quality settings, including 1080/60p and 4K HD modes
• 12-megapixel matrix
• Burst mode 30 photos per second
• Continuous shooting mode with long pauses (for shooting slow processes)
• Built-in Wi-Fi and included Wi-Fi remote control
• Compatible with GoPro Android and iOS Apps
• Wide range of specialized accessories

Features and design of the GoPro Hero3 Black Edition camera.

What is the GoPro Hero3 Black Edition?

The GoPro Hero3 Black Edition is a small yet rugged camera designed for taking photos and videos in the most extreme conditions. If you've ever watched the reality show Deadly Catch, then you've probably guessed the harsh conditions it was filmed in. What equipment do you think was used for filming? Of course GoPro cameras. Why gopro? Because only they are able to work in such conditions.

With over a decade of experience in producing high quality action sports and adventure cameras, GoPro is undeniably the industry leader. Although she has worthy competitors.

The GoPro Hero3 Black Edition camera is the flagship product of the Hero3 series, which also includes the Silver Edition mid-range camera and the entry-level White Edition camera. In addition to the regular GoPro Hero3 Black Edition, there is a Surf Edition that comes with special sticky mounts that allow you to mount the camera on a surfboard.

But in all other respects, both cameras have completely identical characteristics and design.

Characteristic features of GoPro Hero3 Black Edition action camera, differences from Silver and White Edition.

As the flagship product of the Hero3 series, the GoPro Hero3 Black Edition has certain advantages over the cheaper versions. The first and most important advantage of the Black Edition models is the built-in Wi-Fi remote control, which allows you to comfortably control the camera when it is fixed on or in another hard-to-reach place and it is very difficult to press the buttons. Read more about management and settings in the article. Adventurers who install their cameras in hard-to-reach places will definitely appreciate the benefits of Wi-Fi remote control.

In addition to built-in Wi-Fi remote control, the Black Edition benefits from a 12-megapixel high-definition camera. For comparison, the Silver Edition has an 11 megapixel sensor, while the entry-level White Edition camera has only 5 megapixels. If necessary, the Black Edition can shoot not only in full resolution of 12 megapixels, but also in 7 and 5 megapixel modes.

A more useful feature of the Black Edition's camera is its 30fps burst mode, which is significantly higher than the Silver Edition's 10fps and the White Edition's 3fps. In the fast-paced world of extreme sports, this is a very useful advantage, as the ability to capture 30 consecutive frames per second will allow you to get exactly the shot you want.

But if you don't need that much speed, the Black Edition also lets you shoot at 3, 5, and 10 fps. While not intended for the GoPro Hero3 Black Edition, it also has a long time-lapse mode of 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, and 60 seconds. All this speaks of its wide possibilities and flexibility.

Still, most buyers of the Hero3 are more interested in its ability to shoot video than photos. And again, the Black Edition has certain advantages over the two younger models in the series. The Silver and White Editions support a maximum resolution of 1080p at 25 fps, while the Black Edition is capable of shooting Full HD 1080p video at 50/48/25 fps in PAL mode and 60/48/30 fps in NTSC mode . In addition, in 720p mode, the shooting speed is 100/50 fps (120/60 fps for NTSC), which allows you to achieve smooth slow-motion playback of HD video, which neither Silver nor White Edition can do.

In addition, the Black Edition can shoot in 4K at 15fps and 4K Cinema at 12fps.

Additional shooting modes GoPro 3:

• 1440p mode, 48/25/24 fps (48/30/24 fps for NTSC)
• 2.7K mode, 25 fps (30 fps for NTSC)
• 2.7K Cinema mode, 24fps
• 960p mode, 100/48fps
• WVGA mode, 240 fps

The choice of video recording modes is really huge.

Construction of the GoPro Hero3 Black Edition camera.

Considering that the GoPro Hero3 Black Edition is specifically designed for use in conditions that conventional cameras are not designed for, it is not surprising that this camera is extremely durable in every respect. Although Hero3 is quite compact - 60mm wide, 40mm high and 20mm deep - it is 30% smaller than its predecessor. Weighing just 74 grams, the camera is also 20% lighter than the Hero2.

The camera is housed in a rugged polycarbonate body and is equipped with three buttons: a mode button, a shutter release button, and a dual Wi-Fi button. At the back of the camera is at 1050 mAh. To get it, you just need to snap off the cover. In addition, there is a Hero Port on the back of the camera, designed to connect an optional $112 Touch BacPac LCD monitor, which transmits the image from the camera.

All important shooting information, navigation menu with camera settings and options is displayed on a small LCD screen, which is located on the front of the camera. Below the screen is a mode select button that also doubles as an on/off button. To the right of it are two indicators - a blue paired Wi-Fi indicator and a red status indicator. On the top panel of the camera there is another button that acts as a shutter button and start recording video.

Connectors and a place for a memory card are located on the side of the camera behind a protective plastic: a hole for installing a micro SD card, a micro HDMI port for video playback, a microUSB port for recharging and transferring files. The Hero3 Black Edition camera is compatible with cards up to 64 GB. Given the volume of files being processed, it is highly recommended to use cards of at least tenth grade.

Of course, the camera itself cannot be submerged in water, but it comes with a waterproof polycarbonate housing that can shoot underwater up to 60 meters and also protects the camera from bumps, scratches and drops. The camera is inserted into the back of the protective housing and is securely fixed using the latches located on top of the camera.

Putting the camera in and out of the protective housing is quite simple - place the camera so that the lens looks in the opposite direction, find the latch on the top of the housing, slide it in the direction of the index arrow and then return it to its place.

You can control the camera when it is inside the protective case using three spring-loaded buttons on the case - the shutter button, the mode selection button and the on/off button and the Wi-Fi control button. The buttons are pressed with considerable effort, which is done specifically to prevent accidental pressing of the buttons.

Action camera GoPro Hero3 Black Edition comes with a set of mounts and Velcro. Ours came with an "Adventure Kit" designed for use in dry terrain. If you are going to use the camera on the water, then order the Surf Edition.

Management, software, photo and video quality GoPro Hero3 Black Edition.

Control GoPro Hero3 Black Edition.

You can control your GoPro Hero3 Black Edition in a variety of ways: with the buttons on the camera itself, with the remote control, or with the free GoPro app for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.

Hero3 Black Edition in combination with a Wi-Fi remote control can be installed anywhere you need. GoPro claims a Wi-Fi range of 100 meters.

Menu navigation is easy to master the first time - it is carried out using the mode button and the shutter button. The instruction manual is not included in the package - it is not in printed or digital format - it can be downloaded from the GoPro website.

This version of Hero3 differs from others only in the presence of a remote control. The two buttons on the remote control work exactly like the mode button and shutter button on the camera itself. Thus, from the remote you have access to all the settings and parameters of the camera. Another advantage is the presence of a keychain mount, which is located on the charging port of the remote control and allows you to clip the remote to yourself so that it does not accidentally get lost.

The GoPro app for Android and iOS allows you to control the camera from your tablet or smartphone, and has a preview window of the camera image (with a slight delay).

If you want to get a real-time camera image, you'll have to spend $120 on an optional GoPro Touch BacPac display. A less expensive method to solve this problem is the GoPro app, which is available for free on Google Play or Apple iOS.

Connecting a phone or tablet to a GoPro camera via Wi-Fi is not very difficult, but it takes a long time, since you first need to enter the GoPro Hero 3 Wi-Fi password on your mobile phone (default is “goprohero”), turn on Wi-Fi on the camera and use the wireless settings menu to switch the camera to sync mode with the GoPro app.

Then run the application on your phone or tablet and click "Connect and control", after which you will be taken to the main screen of the application, through which you have full control over the camera. By clicking on the menu icon in the form of a gear wheel, you can access the settings for the quality of photo and video shooting, continuous shooting, and other more complex settings.

You can take photos and record videos directly from the GoPro app - a small preview window shows what the camera sees in (almost) real time.

We said "almost" because there is actually a two second delay. If you control the camera through the GoPro app, then you will have to press the "record" button a little before the moment when you plan to take a picture or start recording video.

Even with this delay, this is very convenient, as it allows the owner to control the camera from a distance without being distracted from their work. According to GoPro, the Wi-Fi range is up to 100 meters.

GoPro provides its own CineForm Studio software, which can be downloaded for free from the company's website. Although it does not allow you to edit individual clips together, you can post-process individual fragments.

GoPro video editing software.

Software is not included with the GoPro Black Edition, but CineForm Studio's video editing software is available for download from the GoPro website. Of course, this is not the most modern video editing software, but nevertheless it allows you to apply a number of video effects, including the ProTune filter, which allows you to improve the color and details in the captured video.

Although CineForm Studio allows you to convert the original video from the camera, apply effects or slow down the video, but it cannot merge individual clips. To do this, you need something like Final Cut Pro or Apple iMovie.

GoPro Hero3 Black Edition photo and video quality.

The quality of the photos is quite good, but the wide-angle lens of the Hero3 has a significant impact on the quality of the shots. It introduces barrel distortion that makes photos look like they were taken with a fisheye lens. The color and white balance are quite accurate, although they can always be changed later on the computer. Photo detail is also quite good.

In general, the video quality is good. As mentioned at the beginning of this review, the Black Edition has significant advantages over its cheaper counterparts in the form of a wider selection of shooting modes. Of course, the choice of settings is yours and different settings are optimal in different conditions.

We used 1080p Full HD at 50fps for testing. The main reason we chose these settings is because the vast majority of computers cannot play videos at higher settings. We also chose them because with a source video of 50 frames per second, the video slowed down by half will be displayed at an acceptable speed of 25 frames and in good Full HD resolution.

Processing with CineForm Studio filters includes Protune technology (adjustment of contrast, saturation, sharpness) and other standard options.

One Black Edition feature that power users will definitely appreciate is GoPro's patented Protune technology, which is activated on the camera via the settings menu. It allows you to set a more neutral color palette and record video in Camera Raw mode, which reduces compression and increases the possibility of further editing. In addition, with the help of the CineForm Studio software, you can of course adjust the saturation and sharpness.

During testing, we used the GoPro Hero3 Black Edition in a variety of conditions. On the first day we filmed kite surfing with the camera on the kite so we could film the scene from top to bottom. The sky was gray and the sea pale green. The raw video looked a little gloomy, but we improved it significantly with ProTune technology, making it a little lighter.

On a second very bright and sunny day, we attached the camera to the windshield of a car to see how well it would perform in fast-moving, high-contrast lighting conditions. The camera did two things well, but the built-in microphone didn't perform well and couldn't capture music from our car's stereo even though the volume was set to high.

However, in other conditions, for example, while surfing, there were no complaints about the sound - GoPro did an excellent job of recording a conversation between surfers.

Conclusion.

If you are into extreme sports and want to buy an action camera that can both shoot video and take pictures and that you can tether to yourself wherever you are - on land in water or in the air, then at the moment the GoPro Hero3 Black Edition has no competitors in the market.

The remote control, along with the GoPro add-on for Android or iOS smartphones and tablets, only adds to the versatility of the Black Edition, making it the best choice at a very reasonable price.

GoPro Hero 3 Silver Edition is an action camera (or, as it is also called, “sports DVR”) of the third generation. Compact, somewhere three times smaller than the fourth iPhone, the camera is designed to shoot in the most unpredictable conditions where a conventional video camera simply cannot cope: water, dust, sand.

Thanks to its size and convenient mounts, GoPro can shoot while moving, in free fall or up to 60 meters under water, even when your hands are busy with something else (wheels, for example). However, driving a selfie is not the best use of the GoPro Hero 3. Read on to find out where this miracle of technology can be used, what it can do and how it differs from a regular DVR.

Who cares?

GoPro Hero 3 Silver Edition is the base model of third generation action cameras. It has a wider range of options than the White Edition (for example, a built-in Wi-Fi module), and is limited in comparison with the top Black. It also performs well as a video recording device (30 frames per second at Full HD and 60 at HD quality). Of course, the frame rate in 1080p is not enough to mount slow motion video from the footage, but in 720p you will be able to do it. And a rather suitable “soap box” can come out of a silver GoPro - with an 11 megapixel matrix, it is capable of taking pictures in series or in time lapse mode. In the latter, you set the frame capture rate yourself - from 0.5 to 30 seconds.

Characteristics:

• 11 megapixel matrix
• HD and Full HD video (60 and 30 fps respectively)
• photography in 11, 8 and 5 MP quality
• Protune mode (advanced color management capability)
• monochrome display on the front
• MicroUSB and Mini HDMI connectors
• 1050 mAh battery (enough for a little more than 3 hours of continuous shooting)
• microSD slot (supports cards up to 64 GB)
• built-in Wi-Fi module for remote control of the camera from a remote control (not included in the package) or from a smartphone (also not included :))

What's new?

So, we have already said that the new version of GoPro has a Protune shooting mode. Let's talk about it in more detail. In this mode, you can manually select the white balance and increase the amount of video stream capture from the standard 15 Mbps to 35 Mbps. Thus, GoPro Hero 3 can be brought closer in terms of shooting quality to professional cameras.

Hero 3 also introduced a video capture mode called Video Looping. It allows you to record a video fragment of a given length an unlimited number of times. In principle, it is useful if you know exactly how long the moment you want to capture will last.

Contents of delivery:

• the camera itself
• plastic protective box
• covers for the box - ordinary and waterproof (up to 60 meters deep). The waterproof cover also keeps your action camera well protected from dust and dirt.
• three-angle hinge
• flat mount
• stickers to fix the mount on flat and convex/concave surfaces
• USB cable
• brand name stickers
• instructions and warranty card

Camera remote control

As we already mentioned, Hero 3 Silver received a built-in Wi-Fi module. In an action camera, it is not needed at all in order to connect to the free Internet in cafes (and it doesn’t have such opportunities in principle). The camera can be remotely controlled via Wi-Fi. To do this, in addition to the camera itself, you can buy a remote control (remote control). It has the same two buttons as the camera and the exact same monochrome display. With the top version, the remote control is supplied, and for the silver version, you will have to pay another 80 euros for it. But this is not the most important thing. The camera can be controlled via Wi-Fi from a smartphone or tablet running Windows Mobile, Android or iOS. The remote control app is available for download on AppStore, Google Play and Windows Store.

IMPORTANT! Before installing the application, update the camera software from the official website! If you ignore the update, only android smartphones will work as a remote control.

And finally

Do not rush to order a camera "over the hill". Remember that the risk of such a purchase is $ 340 + shipping costs thrown to the wind. Firstly, you lose the 12-month warranty, and secondly, you can get an already broken camera.

To shoot video, it is advisable to install a class 10 memory card. It costs more, but it will affect the quality of the video.

One last thing: GoPro Hero 3 Silver Edition performs poorly in the dark, but better than second-generation cameras.